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Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29).
Most of those reading Interruptions listen to sermons. Lots of them.
We begin to believe that we are experts on sermons. And then we make comments to the pastor.
I’ve heard all the comments that can be made about sermons in 50 years of preaching. Below are the most common and, since I’m not a senior pastor anymore, I can finally be honest with my thoughts about the comments!
Comment…
That was the best sermon that you have ever preached.
My thought…
HHHHMMMHHM… I’ve been preaching for 50 years, and I finally got one right.
Comment…
The sermon was too long!
My thought…
In 50 years, I have never heard someone complain about my sermon being too short. Maybe they are right that my sermons are too long.
Just kidding! I should have thought this but didn’t. Instead, I envisioned hellfire falling from heaven when the person walked through the parking lot.
Comment…
You should have preached that sermon years ago!
My thought…
I did in 1972, 1985, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2015, and 2020, but finally you are listening!
Comment…
I enjoyed your message today; it was very helpful and timely. I need to hear this today.
My thought…
Thank you. What an encouraging thing to say. When you come to church next week, please bring more people like you.
Comment…
I like the other pastor at this church better.
Yes, I heard this comment regularly.
My thoughts…
Depending on how I felt that day – either, “I should have become a car salesman,” or, “I hope you are walking close to that other person when the hellfire falls in the parking lot.”
For pastors, sermons are children – conceived, given birth, brought through the terrible “twos,” and difficult teen years, to mature adulthood – in one week.
We can be sensitive about our sermons!
I’ve been blessed, as a pastor, with what I began to call “cheerleaders.” After every sermon, for years, there were two brothers and one sister who would always come up and say something positive about my sermon.
Even after a dog of a sermon. They would encourage.
Sometimes I would think, “Did you hear the same sermon that I preached? It was a terrible message; don’t tell me it was good.”
Then I would remember that the Word of God preached faithfully – even through a broken vessel – always brought good fruit.
My thought…
Thank you “two brothers and a sister” – I’m encouraged to pray and try again next week. And God, withhold the fire on those other two parishioners in the parking lot.